Latest iPhone Update Brings a CarPlay Change Some Users Will Never See

A new iOS update is now available, and while it includes a small but notable CarPlay change, not all users will experience it.

iOS 18.4: What’s New for CarPlay?

Apple has officially released iOS 18.4 after weeks of beta testing. You can update your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

This update introduces:
✅ Apple Intelligence features (for iPhone 15 and 16 series)
✅ A new Vision Pro app
✅ Improvements to Apple News and Photos

But Apple didn’t mention a key CarPlay update in the changelog:

➡️ The CarPlay home screen now displays three rows of app icons instead of two, maximizing screen space.

But There’s a Catch…

Before you rush to try the new three-row layout, there’s one thing to know:
🚘 Not all CarPlay users will get it.

Apple hasn’t revealed the exact device requirements, but it appears that only larger displays (likely 12 inches or more) support this change. If your CarPlay screen is smaller, you might still be stuck with the traditional two-row layout.

Since Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged this update, the only way to find out if you qualify is to update to iOS 18.4 and connect your iPhone to CarPlay.

Apple’s Slow Progress on CarPlay

Beyond this minor UI tweak, CarPlay hasn’t received any major improvements. Many users are growing frustrated with Apple’s lack of commitment to enhancing the platform, especially as Android Auto continues to evolve.

Meanwhile, Android Auto Is Expanding

Compared to CarPlay, Android Auto is rolling out major updates, including:
🎮 Full Android games for entertainment while parked
📺 Video apps like YouTube (coming soon)
🌐 A web browser for in-car browsing

What’s Next for CarPlay?

Apple remains tight-lipped about CarPlay’s long-term roadmap, but with iOS 19 expected this fall, there’s hope for bigger improvements. Until then, iOS 18.4 users will have to settle for a small, screen-size-dependent UI update—if they get it at all.